All ages venue, The Showcase, opens inside NWA Mall

Ever since The Music Hall closed on College Avenue, Fayetteville has been without a dedicated all ages music venue.

That will change on Saturday, when Calling Tokyo, Brave Soul, and Lifelike play the first ever show at The Showcase, a new venue inside one of the old movie theaters at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.

Dan Robinson, also known as Dr. Dan as a DJ for the new music show on 104.9 the X, will serve as booking agent and manager for the new venue. Robinson booked shows for George’s Majestic Lounge from 2002-2004, and is also a guitar player in local metal band Wrought.

“The goal is to provide Fayetteville with an all ages venue that is a safe place for kids to enjoy music,” Robinson said. “We are currently booking all types of bands, and we’re very excited about the space.”

In addition to booking more established bands in the venue, Robinson said that he wants to help cultivate the local music scene by providing a place for high school bands to cut their teeth.

According to Robinson, the mall is a perfect place for an all ages venue.

“It’s amazing. Parents are confortable dropping their kids at the mall. Plus, we have access to mall parking,” Robinson said. “We also have 24-hour access to the venue, so we won’t be restricted to mall hours.”

Shows at the The Showcase will generally take place on Friday and Saturday nights between the hours of 7- 11 p.m.

In addition to being a live music venue, The Showcase will also book private parties, and will take advantage of the movie screen left over from the theater to show locally produced and independent films.

“We’re definitely taking advantage of the movie screen,” he said. “We want to tap into the local independent film community, and be a place to showcase those films as well as student films.”

The Showcase is associated with Gymnastics Joe’s, also located inside the former movie theater. Robinson said The Showcase will be available for private parties, and that in addition to the access to the dance floor and stage, kids will be able to take advantage of the trampolines and foam pit inside Gymnastics Joe’s as well.

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